The three Catholic bishops in Tennessee are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to spare death row inmate Donnie Johnson's life and stop all other executions scheduled this year.

Nashville Bishop J. Mark Spalding, Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika and Memphis Bishop David P. Talley penned a joint letter to the governor on April 23 and the Nashville diocese published it Friday.

"We urge you to use your authority as governor to put an end to the fast-track executions planned for later this year, and particularly the execution of Donnie Johnson scheduled for May 16. As you know, he was convicted of the brutal murder of his wife, but even their daughter has spoken against his execution," the letter states.

Johnson is the fourth person scheduled to die since Tennessee resumed executions in August. Gov. Bill Haslam, who was wrapping up his final term when Lee was elected, did not intervene in any of the previous executions, but Johnson's request for clemency is the first Lee will be weighing as governor.

The Nashville and Knoxville bishops issued similar appeals ahead of the three 2018 executions. The Memphis bishop is new; he was installed April 2.

The Catholic Church has a history of speaking out against capital punishment and in August, Pope Francis changed church catechism to assert that the death penalty is inadmissible.

"We clearly state our strong opposition to the state carrying out the death penalty," the letter from the Tennessee bishops states.

"Nationally, we have seen many people released from death row after they have been found to have been innocent of the crime for which they were convicted. Based on a human system as it is, there is always the chance that the state executes an innocent person. Even when guilt is certain, the execution is not necessary to protect society."

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@Tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.